Kate Middleton Country coach tour shows guests around Bucklebury ahead of Royal Wedding
By royal appointment: the Berkshire village of Bucklebury, where Kate Middleton grew up, has seen an influx of visitors ahead of her wedding to Prince William on April 29thAnd it's also no surprise that tours of royal sites in London and Windsor are anticipating a bumper year.
However, few residents in the village of Bucklebury, where Prince William's fiance grew up, could have expected just how much their 'quiet little backwater' would be thrust into the royal spotlight.
This weekend saw the first official coach tour of Berkshire landmarks associated with Miss Middleton hit the road. Excursion company Mortons is looking to capitalise on royal wedding fever by offering 10 tours of what it is describing as 'Kate Middleton Country'.
The first passengers on the inaugural coach tour of 'Kate Middleton Country' stop off for a drink at The Old Boot Inn in Bucklebury, where Kate and William have been known to pop in for a drink
Company owner Adam Morton is hoping the Berkshire tours will be a hit, especially with overseas tourists. He told the BBC: 'We have companies in America and Japan looking to try and hire our coaches to do tours.'Key sights along the route include a glimpse of the houses where Kate grew up, the schools - St Andrew's and Marlborough College - where she was educated and the church in which she was christened. There's also a stop at the Old Boot Inn, the local pub that Kate and William have been known to d! rink in.
For 10, passengers get a guided tour of 'Catherine's' Berkshire by Blue Badge holder Charmian GriffithsAt the helm of the tour was Charmian Griffiths, a 'Blue Badge' guide, who insists on referring to Kate as 'Catherine'.
Not everyone is enjoying the attention being turned on Bucklebury, however.
Wynne Frankum, chair of Bucklebury Parish Council, told the BBC: 'This is her home. Her family have been in the village and the parish all her life. She and Prince William go to the pub quite frequently, they pop into the local shop, they walk their dogs when they're here'.Frankum did concede though that tours through this 'quiet little backwater' would be good for local businesses.Mortons also has a Royal Wedding tour, which promises to 'rejoice in the spectacle, pageantry and celebration' of April 29th by offering the 'best possible location to glimpse the Royal couple'.
Where it all began: Kate Middleton's local church, St Mary's in Bucklebury. Her parents, Carole and Michael, still live in the Berkshire village
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